For people of South Louisiana fishing, shrimping, eating oysters and alligator are not just a livelihood but also a way of living. Nearly two million people, about half of Louisiana’s population, have lived and worked in coastal Louisiana for generations. As the largest fishery in the lower forty-eight states, it alone makes up nearly 50,000 jobs. These types of jobs often require modification of the land to benefit humans rather than the environment. Even without knowing it, this culture is ruining the very land that provides homes, industry, and economy for Louisiana and much of the US.

Sadly, this has been a known issue for some time. While local efforts, such as swamp tours and environmental non-profit organizations, attempt to educate and replant their efforts, these aren’t enough. Alongside short-term efforts a long-term sustainable plan is needed. Fortunately, research by the Land Change Study Group and University Specialists say a solution can be reached. The issue: State and Federal officials estimate the cost of restoration to be around fourteen billion dollars.

South Louisiana owes credit to its landscape for creating such a unique culture. Making the necessary changes and learning to live with the land is only the beginning of giving back.

Many cultures live in sensitive landscapes, how do they coexist with the land sustainably?

Allyson McAbee is a graduate of Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
with a degree in Landscape Architecture. Currently living in New Orleans,
Louisiana she works at a residential design, build firm while volunteering
at gardens and farms around the city. Traveling to various countries
initially sparked her interests in Landscape Architecture. While
traveling, her desire to understand relationships between various cultures
and their environments became apparent. Immediately after graduating
Allyson continued her passion for traveling before making a home in New
Orleans. In the Big Easy her love for culture, people, food, dancing,
music, visual and performance art are available by walking down the
street. Allyson plans to pursue a Masters in Urban Studies with a focus
on anthropology. Finding fulfillment in community social planning, she
would like to not only design with the environment in mind, but for the
people who live in it. Her writing will be reflective of her interests in
cultural relationships to land.